Depression Drug Side Effects Like Weight, Blood Pressure Fluctuations Differ by Drug

• A large latest investigation found that the unwanted effects of antidepressants vary considerably by drug.
• Some drugs caused decreased mass, whereas others led to added mass.
• Pulse rate and blood pressure additionally diverged notably among drugs.
• Those suffering from ongoing, intense, or troubling unwanted effects must speak with a medical provider.

Recent research has revealed that antidepressant medication adverse reactions may be more varied than earlier believed.

This extensive study, issued on October 21, analyzed the impact of antidepressant drugs on in excess of 58,000 subjects within the first eight weeks of commencing treatment.

These scientists analyzed 151 studies of 30 drugs typically employed to manage major depression. Although not all individuals experiences unwanted effects, some of the most common observed in the study were fluctuations in body weight, BP, and metabolic parameters.

Researchers observed notable differences between depression treatments. As an illustration, an eight-week course of agomelatine was associated with an typical decrease in mass of approximately 2.4 kilos (roughly 5.3 pounds), while maprotiline individuals gained nearly 2 kg in the same duration.

Furthermore, marked fluctuations in cardiovascular activity: fluvoxamine often would slow cardiac rhythm, while nortriptyline elevated it, creating a disparity of about 21 heartbeats per minute between the both treatments. BP fluctuated as well, with an 11 mmHg disparity noted among one drug and another medication.

Clinical experts commented that the study's findings aren't recent or unexpected to mental health professionals.

"Clinicians have long recognized that different antidepressants vary in their impacts on body weight, arterial pressure, and other metabolic parameters," one specialist stated.

"Nonetheless, what is remarkable about this study is the thorough, comparison-based measurement of these differences across a wide range of physiological parameters employing information from more than 58,000 individuals," the expert noted.

This study delivers comprehensive proof of the extent of side effects, some of which are more prevalent than others. Frequent antidepressant medication side effects may include:

• gastrointestinal symptoms (queasiness, bowel issues, irregularity)
• sexual problems (reduced sex drive, orgasmic dysfunction)
• mass variations (increase or decrease, depending on the medication)
• rest issues (insomnia or sedation)
• dry mouth, moisture, headache

At the same time, rarer but medically important unwanted effects may comprise:

• increases in arterial pressure or pulse rate (notably with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and certain tricyclic antidepressants)
• low sodium (especially in older adults, with SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• elevated hepatic parameters
• Corrected QT interval extension (chance of arrhythmia, especially with one medication and some tricyclics)
• diminished feelings or lack of interest

"One thing to consider in this context is that there are several distinct classes of antidepressant medications, which lead to the varying negative pharmaceutical effects," another professional explained.

"Furthermore, antidepressant drugs can impact each patient variably, and adverse reactions can range based on the specific pharmaceutical, dose, and patient considerations such as metabolic rate or simultaneous health issues."

Although some adverse reactions, such as fluctuations in rest, hunger, or stamina, are fairly common and often enhance over time, other effects may be less typical or longer-lasting.

Antidepressant unwanted effects may range in severity, which could require a adjustment in your treatment.

"A modification in antidepressant may be appropriate if the patient encounters ongoing or unacceptable adverse reactions that fail to enhance with passing days or supportive measures," one expert said.

"Moreover, if there is an emergence of recent medical issues that may be exacerbated by the current treatment, such as high blood pressure, arrhythmia, or considerable increased body weight."

You may furthermore contemplate speaking with your healthcare provider regarding any lack of meaningful improvement in low mood or anxiety symptoms subsequent to an appropriate evaluation duration. The adequate trial period is usually 4–8 weeks' time at a therapeutic dose.

Patient inclination is also important. Some individuals may choose to prevent specific adverse reactions, including sexual dysfunction or {weight gain|increased body weight|mass addition